CHENNAI: Long after their patrol shifts end at Chennai’s century-old Mounted Police Unit, sowars (riders) return to the stables, not to ride, but to haul fodder, groom horses, clean stalls and clear waste. With only five syces (horse caretakers) against a sanctioned strength of 40, the mounted police personnel are increasingly taking on duties meant for the caretakers.
Established in 1926, the Mounted Police Unit is among the oldest specialised wings of the Greater Chennai Police. Its newly built facility at Pudupet, which incorporates the historic stables, currently houses 29 horses – 16 geldings and 13 mares – but has only five syces to care for them. Of these 29, 23 horses are currently active, with 10 being trained for participation in competitions.
The unit’s horses including Kabali, Cholan, Karikalan, Kaveri and Thamirabarani are deployed for Marina Beach patrols, crowd management duties and ceremonial events such as Republic Day celebrations.
According to sources, the shortage of caretakers has worsened over the years as they are routinely transferred to office-assistant posts after acquiring the required educational qualifications and maintaining a clean disciplinary record. Recruitment has failed to keep pace, leaving the unit severely understaffed.
During a visit to the facility, TNIE found syces and sowars carrying baskets of hay, preparing bedding, cleaning stalls and removing waste. Of the five syces, three are assigned to cleaning duties, one handles feeding and another is responsible for shoeing the horses.
The unit’s 24 sowars, whose primary responsibility is mounted patrol, assist with the remaining work.“Three of us clean the 29 horses nearly four times a day, apart from preparing bedding and helping with feeding. The workload is too much,” said a syce. Sources added the facility functioned without a dedicated cleaner for nearly a year, further increasing the burden.
For the sowars, the additional duties come after long patrol hours. “It is important to build a bond with our horses. Merely riding them is not enough. But because of the shortage, we are also grooming, feeding and watering them after patrol duty,” a rider said.
“Either adequate caretakers must be appointed or the department should rethink the future of the wing,” said animal welfare activist Antony Rubin.
“Adequate caretaker strength is critical for the functioning of the unit,” an officer said and added the government has approved five additional syce posts in the first phase and recruitment is under way. The department has also sought approval for 19 more posts.
When contacted, Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner A Amalraj told TNIE the recruitment process is under way and the issue would be addressed soon.